Effect of Supplementary Sijunzi Decoction on the Small Intestinal Tight Junction Proteins Expression and ERK/MAPK Pathway in Spleen Deficiency Canines

PurposeTo determine the effects of supplementary Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) on the expression of tight junction proteins in small intestine of spleen deficiency canines from the perspective of ERK/MAPK pathway.

MethodTwenty-four one-year-old healthy beagle canines were randomly divided into control group, spleen deficiency group, natural recovery group and supplementary SJZD treated group. The senna solution was used to replicate spleen deficiency model canines. After the model was developed, the canines in spleen deficiency group were killed and collecting samples. The canines in the control group and the natural recovery group were fed a basal diet, the canines in supplementary SJZD group were fed a basal diet with 2% (dry herbs) supplementary SJZD. The trial lasted for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were dissected and collected, and the related indexes were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western-blot (WB).

ResultThe positive expression levels of ZO-1, Occludin proteins, the relative expression values of ZO-1 and Occludin mRNA, and the expression amount of ZO-1, Occludin and ERK/MAPK-related pathway proteins in small intestine of canines in spleen deficiency group were significantly decreased than those in control group (P<0.01). After the treatment with supplementary SJZD, the above indexes of the canines were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.01), which were close to the control group.

ConclusionThe syndrome of spleen deficiency was closely related to the low expression of tight junction proteins in the small intestine of the experiment canines, and the mechanical barrier function of the small intestine was reduced. The regulation mechanism may be achieved by activating the ERK/MAPK pathway.